All Good Women by Valerie Miner Read Free Book Online Page B

the house?
    â€˜Randy Girard,’ nodded Wanda.
    â€˜Och,’ exclaimed Moira, who carried some of her parents’ Scottish brogue when she got flustered. She took a large bite of the donut and noticed too late that the purple jelly had shot out the end, staining the bow of her white blouse. ‘Oh, damn.’
    â€˜What does it matter?’ put in Teddy. She wanted to deflect attention from Moira’s embarrassment, but her tense voice revealed more. ‘Let’s say five or six and make it a surprise party.’
    Ann threw up her hands. Wanda wondered if Howard would bring his friend Roy Watanabe. The buzzer sounded. Moira yawned, and, remembering now that the bow was removable, she unbuttoned it from the back of her neck. ‘Sure pal. Whatever you say.’
    Miss Fargo stood at the classroom door, her arms across her chest.
    Ann seated herself, swallowed and stared ahead. She tried to concentrate: Dono. Donas. The thought of university filled her with a still well-being. She would get through the afternoon fine. Breathing deeply, she savored the scent of smoke left in her nostrils.
    As Teddy sat down, she noticed with disappointment that the sweater on the back of her chair was still damp from the morning rain.

Chapter Four
    Spring 1939, San Francisco
    ITALIANS INVADE ALBANIA
    GERMANS CLAIM DANZIG
    PAN AM BEGINS ‘THE DIXIE CLIPPER’ TO EUROPE
    RANDY GIRARD WAS LATE , Wanda noticed with relief and concern. She found Moira’s friend a little loud, yet she knew if he didn’t appear Moira would feel miserable. The party wasn’t going the way she had expected. No one had arrived until an hour ago. Wanda stood at the door between the kitchen and the dining room watching young women and men mill around the food and inspect pictures on the wall, with the kind of nervous intensity people exhibit on Saturday night when they’re wondering if they came to the wrong party. Wanda was dismayed that most of her sushi remained untouched on the serving dish. Perhaps she should have prepared something less exotic. However, Ann’s potato salad and Moira’s shortbread and Teddy’s spare ribs and the rest of the menu were all waiting too.
    Wanda caught sight of Moira opening the front door to her own brother Howard and his new friend Roy Watanabe. Roy was as handsome as Howard promised, tall and solid, with a wide, open face. Howard had told her so much about Roy that she was sure he would be a disappointment, but she was wrong. Had Howard given Roy as many details about her? Well, Howard’s matchmaking had never worked before. Most of his friends were, like him, content with their jobs at the cannery and they found her a little ambitious.
    Greeting the young men with firm handshakes, Moira tried to hide her disappointment at yet more guests who were not Randy Girard. She twirled around, displaying the full drama of Wanda’s red jacket which she had borrowed to accent her svelte black dress. She had the two men joking and laughing as she eased them over to the drinks table.
    Wanda joined them, offering glasses. Teddy was right, Moira had a talent for people. Wanda observed Roy more closely. Cute, a little tall, but very sweet. Moira stationed herself at the left of the table to keep watch on the front door.
    Ann showed her friend Rachel their bedrooms on the second floor. ‘This is mine.’ She stood back self-consciously as Rachel looked around. ‘I particularly like the morning sun. Sometimes I just sit up here with a cup of coffee before anyone else is awake. It’s a good time to read or study.’
    â€˜Leave it to Ann, the purposeful employment of each moment.’ Rachel smiled, backing out of the room. ‘Some people just daydream in the mornings and in the afternoons for that matter.’
    â€˜You have to admit I’ve improved since high school. I used to read while I was walking to class.’
    Rachel nodded tolerantly.
    Ann smiled,